With the latest updated hurricane forecast recently released by National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - which lists an increase in the chance for an above-normal hurricane season - EST James Banks and the leadership of the Florida Carpenters Regional Council offer these tips to make sure you are prepared should we get hit with a hurricane this year…

Watch vs. Warning

• A hurricane watch indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours.
• A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours.

Go means Go

There’s one tip that every person should know - how to pack a “go bag.” A go bag is a packed case that you grab on your way out the door, and that will help keep you safe and comfortable in the coming hours and days. Trying to remember everything in the middle of an evacuation is not only challenging but the delay could be costly. While you have time to think about it, pack a separate go bag for yourself and every member of your household, and keep them stored in the same location. Check out these resources for learning how to make a go bag: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Go-Bag and https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2018-06-12/what-goes-into-a-go-bag-how-to-prepare-an-emergency-kit.

Planning - Much Like Training - Produces Effective Results

If you have a bit of time before a hurricane hits, the National Weather Service has put together excellent tips on what to do in the days and hours leading up to the storm: https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan

We hope this email is not needed one bit this year, but just in case, please take a moment and make sure you and your family are ready with a plan and supplies should Florida get hit.

General Tips and Resources: https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane

Good rundown of hurricane facts and info: https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/08/us/2019-atlantic-hurricane-season-fast-facts/index.html